🔍 Browser Fingerprint
| Last review date | Platforms researched |
|---|---|
| 2026-02-26 | Chrome 133, Safari 18, Firefox 135 |
This page runs entirely in your browser. No fingerprint data is collected, stored, or sent to any server.
What is it?
In short: A way to track you without cookies.
Websites collect your browser and device info (screen size, GPU, timezone, fonts, etc.) and combine them into a unique "fingerprint." Each detail alone isn't unique, but together they identify you.
Unlike cookies, you can't delete a fingerprint. Incognito mode, clearing data, blocking cookies — none of that helps.
Your Browser Fingerprint
The demo below shows the same info a real fingerprinting script would use.
If you revisit this page and see a different hash, that's actually your browser's privacy protection working as intended.
How it works
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| Data Collection | JavaScript reads browser properties (user agent, screen size, fonts, GPU, etc.) |
| Canvas Rendering | A hidden canvas draws text and shapes; the pixel output varies by GPU, driver, and OS |
| Audio Processing | An AudioContext processes a signal; the output varies by hardware and software |
| GPU Profiling | WebGL extensions and renderer strings reveal exact GPU hardware |
| Speech Synthesis | Installed text-to-speech voices differ by OS, language packs, and version |
| Math Fingerprinting | Floating-point results for the same operations differ subtly across engines |
| Locale & Intl | Number/date formatting, calendar system, and locale expose regional config |
| Media Preferences | CSS queries like prefers-color-scheme and prefers-reduced-motion reveal OS settings |
| Permission States | Whether you've granted, denied, or never answered prompts for camera, mic, etc. |
Then all collected values are combined and hashed into a single identifier. The same fingerprint appears on every site running the script, linking your visits across the web.
How to reduce your fingerprint
| Method | Effectiveness | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
Firefox with privacy.resistFingerprinting | High | Some sites may break |
| Disable JavaScript on untrusted sites | High | Many sites won't function |
| Use common settings (en-US, US timezone, 1920x1080) | Medium | May not match your actual setup |
| Disable WebGL and WebRTC | Medium | Some web apps need these |
| Browser extensions (Canvas Blocker, etc.) | Medium | Can make you more unique |
| VPN | Low | Hides IP but not your fingerprint |
The goal is to look like everyone else. Fingerprinting works by finding what makes you different — so the more common your settings are, the harder you are to track. Ironically, some privacy extensions can make your fingerprint more unique.
Related tools
- Web App vs Native App — compare what browsers vs native apps can collect about you
- Browser Permission Check — trigger real browser permission prompts and see what data they unlock
Reference
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Cover Your Tracks | EFF tool to test your browser's tracking protection |
| Am I Unique? | Academic research project (INRIA) that measures your browser fingerprint's uniqueness |
Firefox privacy.resistFingerprinting | Mozilla's documentation on their fingerprinting resistance feature |